Greg Wirtz, President of Cruise Lines International Association – North West & Canada (CLIA-NWC) recently visited Honolulu joining CLIA-NWC representative Charlie Toguchi in meetings with government officials from the Hawaii State House of Representatives, the Senate Transportation Committee and the Department of Transportation (DOT). A tour of Honolulu Harbor with Hawaii Pilots Association President Tom Heberle and DOT officials provided a waterside view of the plans proposed and underway for improvements to passenger flows and terminal operations in Honolulu.

As part of the visit Carnival Cruise Line welcomed the officials aboard the Carnival Legend for an environmental tour on September 22 that included the bridge, the engine control room and the solid waste handling area.

The tour leaders described how CLIA Members have agreed to use best waste management practices and to comply with all local, state, national, and flag state operational waste management laws and requirements. They also discussed: how recycling and reducing energy use has become a way of life onboard all CLIA Member Line ships; how officers and crew, both on the bridge and in the control room, closely monitor a ship’s operations including the use of advanced emission purification (scrubbers) for stack emissions; how shore power technology significantly reduces air emissions for a ship at berth; and, how advanced wastewater treatment systems purify black and grey water. In the solid waste handling area, the participants saw how manual sorting ensures that recyclables and hazardous wastes are captured and separated for offloading to licensed facilities. Ashok Kumar, the ship’s senior environmental officer conducted the tour and described the environmental stewardship policies and procedures that Carnival Cruise Line has in place, including efforts that see the cruise line ahead of schedule in achieving a nearly 25 percent reduction in CO2 emissions relative to its 2005 baseline, and how the company is on track to meet its additional 2020 sustainability goals over the next three years.

CRUISE LINES STEP UP TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT: ‘IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO’In Italy, kids are eating delicious and nutritious meals that were once surplus food prepared onboard ships for cruise passengers. In Miami, families in need are sleeping in comfortable beds with frames donated by cruise lines. At sea, cruise ships are assisting with ocean research and implementing and supporting recycling practices. As a result of those and similar efforts, the cruise industry is demonstrating its commitment to the environment and overall sustainability.

“We all understand a healthy environment is not just an operating necessity, but it is also the right thing to do,” said Bill Burke, chief maritime officer for Carnival Corporation.

Visit www.newkerala.com to learn about how cruise lines are making the environment and sustainability a priority.

CRUISE GUESTS EXPERIENCE 250 YEARS OF HAWAIIAN FASHION HISTORYRegent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) treated cruise guests to a glamorous port of call activity at Iolani Palace during a recent visit to Oahu. Regent, in conjunction with its partners, presented a unique fashion show featuring 250 Years of Hawaiian Fashion History.

Iolani Palace was the official residence of Hawaii’s monarchy until it was overthrown in 1893. It later served as the government headquarters for the Provisional Government, Republic, Territory, and State of Hawaii. After World War II, a restoration by The Friends of Iolani Palace helped it to become a historic museum that shares the history of the Hawaiian monarchy with thousands of visitors every year.

Regent’s special event welcomed approximately 300 guests with a hula performance by a Keiki Halau as they entered the Palace while the Royal Guard stood at attention. Guests received a tour of the first floor and adjoining rooms that have been meticulously restored through the dedicated effort of many volunteers, staff, and donors over the years.

After refreshments and a performance by the Royal Guard, the fashion show presented original designs by former artist and designer Allen Akina showcasing replicas of original gowns worn by Hawaii’s Monarchs. The show also featured fashions influenced by first-generation migrant workers from the Pacific Rim to the Hollywood heyday of the 1940s and into the modern era.

At the event, guests enjoyed a sampling of local food and beverages as they watched local artisans creating ti-leaf wristlets, pounding poi (a traditional food staple of Hawaii) and weaving lauhala. Ancient storytelling was also featured for those interested in the ancient art of sharing Hawaii’s most treasured traditions from generation to generation.

HAWAII TASK FORCE ADDRESSES AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIESThe Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) recently convened a meeting of the Aquatic Alien Organism Task Force (AAOTF) to renew its discussions among local industry, government and environmental groups on addressing aquatic invasive species inadvertently introduced to Hawaii via ballast water and hull fouling.

The overall goal is to prevent the introduction and spread of non-indigenous aquatic species into state waters and to support the larger Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan. DLNR hopes to achieve this with new amendments that will improve organization and flow, provide compliance standards, and improve the coordination and consistency with federal regulations.

DLNR is one of the key players in the implementation of the Hawaii Biosecurity Plan 2017-2027, which aims to support, protect and safeguard our local environment and the health and lifestyle of the people of Hawaii. The plan itself involves representatives at both the state and federal level – including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, DLNR, Department of Transportation, the University of Hawaii, the US Department of Agriculture, Center for Border Protection, US Coast Guard, and US Fish and Wildlife. The private sector is also represented through CLIA North West & Canada, cargo shipping companies, airlines, farmers, ranchers, nursery growers, environmental organizations and the public.

HTA GLOBAL TOURISM SUMMIT BRINGS TOGETHER TOURISM INDUSTRY LEADERS The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) held its 2017 Global Tourism Summit from September 19-21 at the Hawaii Convention Center. The event was made possible via 50 sponsors and featured close to 50 exhibitors for more than 1,800 attendees from 14 countries over the three-day summit.

HTA President and CEO George Szigeti explained that the aim of the event is to broaden the scope of the event and emphasize topics vital to everyone, anywhere, impacted by the success of global tourism. “Sustainability, perpetuating native culture, protecting natural resources, embracing innovation, allowing tourism to thrive without impinging on a treasured way of life. These are issues essential not only to Hawaii’s future but also to communities worldwide,” said Szigeti.

One of the highlights of the event was the honoring of the Polynesian Voyaging Society for its Malama Honua worldwide voyage. The 3-year journey of the double-hulled canoe Hokulea began in 2014 with a sail around the Hawaiian archipelago and continued across the globe visiting 24 islands and over ten countries. It returned to Honolulu on June 17, 2017, after traveling 60,000 nautical miles, and visiting 150 ports.

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